In an effort to calm frayed nerves on both ends of the sugar spectrum, Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Jawed Usmani said the government will soon declare the state advised price for cane and that everyone's interests will be protected. “Millers should focus on getting the mills ready for crushing. The government will soon take a decision on the SAP and we will ensure the interests of both industry and farmers are taken care of,” Usmani said, after hearing both farmers and millers on cane pricing issues.

Asking millers to adhere to the timeline given by the CM, the chief secretary said it was vital that mills start crushing on time so that farmers can get fields ready in time for wheat.

While the farmers reiterated their demand that the hike in cane price must reflect the increase in the cost price of sowing and harvesting, the millers stressed the industry will be unable to pay beyond R225 a quintal. Farmer Chau-dhry Pritam Singh said: “Cane price should be hiked to at least R 330 a quintal this year.” But Deepak Guptara, secretary of UP Sugar Millers Association, said: “We are hoping the government will announce a price close to our paying capacity.”

Meanwhile, the state government on Tuesday decided to start running all 22 mills in the state cooperative sector between November 15 and 28.